THE new McDonald’s in Bridgemead opened its doors an hour ahead of schedule yesterday.

Passers-by in Great Western Way have watched the building rise rapidly but many people visiting were unaware it was the restaurant’s opening day.

The two-storey, dual-lane drive-thru burger joint offered diners the chance to try out the self-order kiosks which greet you as you walk through the sliding doors.

James Chittle, 33, said: “I didn’t expect this to be the first day it was open. It’s absolutely fine though, it looks much like other McDonald’s.

“It’s clean, fresh and tidy, as you would expect it to be.

“The machines were fine. I have used them before, but it made the process slower. There was a lag on the machines, or screens.”

Tim Fosker, 43, from Chippenham, said: “I had no idea this was the first day it was opening.

“It’s easy access from Great Western Way. It looks like it’s going to flow through quite easily.”

Two of the younger diners, Richard, 13, and Harry, 10, were well aware it was opening day, and couldn’t wait to get in and see what had been done with the place.

Richard said: “We were quite surprised how quickly it went up, but it looks big, it’s got space, it’s better than the other restaurants.

“We weren’t expecting the ordering machines as you walk in, but we struggled to use them. We couldn’t find what we wanted on them.”

Franchisee Carl Room said the restaurant had suffered very few hitches in the final days leading up to opening and felt everything was more than ready for an 11am start, one hour earlier than advertised.

“We were able to open early and the staff were very keen to get started,” he said.

“Their attitude has been fantastic and their training seems to have paid off.

“The big challenge in finishing in time for opening day was hoping the third parties did their bit, like getting the electricity turned on, on time.

“The future is bright for this store.

“We are hoping technology will lead the way and mobile ordering, with customers using their phones, is still to come.”